ਜਪਨੁ (japan)
Meaning: noun: Literally, muttering or repeating a word, a mantraor a prayer; invoking the Naam of the Divine inwardly.
Quote:
ਮਨਿ ਹਰਿ ਹਰਿ ਜਪਨੁ ਕਰੇ॥
ਹਰਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਣਾਈ ਭਜਿ ਪਉ ਜਿੰਦੂ ਸਭ ਕਿਲਵਿਖ ਦੁਖ ਪਰਹਰੇ॥
(ਹੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਿੰਦੇ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਣ ਪੈ ਕੇ) ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਹਰੀ ਦਾ ਜਾਪ ਕਰ।
ਹੇ ਜਿੰਦੇ! ਹਰੀ ਰੂਪ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਣ ਵਿਚ ਦੌੜ ਕੇ ਜਾ ਪਉ, (ਉਹ ਤੇਰੇ) ਸਾਰੇ ਪਾਪ ਅਤੇ ਦੁਖ ਦੂਰ ਕਰ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ।
man hari hari japan kare. hari gur sar-ṇaaee bhaj pau jiňdoo sabh kil-vikh dukh par-hare.
(O my soul! In the sanctuary of the Guru) recite the Naam of the Divine within your mind. Hurry to the sanctuary of the divine Guru that will banish all your transgressions and sufferings. -Guru Ram Das Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, 82
Message: We are asked to recite the Naam of the Divine. Is it enough to invoke the Naam of the Divine, to chant a mantra or say a prayer to get closer to Him? This recitation is not just in name. One needs to go beyond the words, to focus the mind on the role of the Divine in our life.
While reciting the Naam of the Divine, keep in the forefront the thought that He is the Creator, the One who gives and takes away; the One who leads us astray and yet imparts understanding.
How strong are we to surrender to the One who is not only the source of good things in our life but also our troubles, pain and heartache? It is the rare few who can let the mind not waver from the focus on this Divine.
That’s why we are asked to seek the sanctuary of the Guru. It is only when the teachings, values, and attitudes imparted by the Guru are adopted consciously, that we attain spiritual stability.
Etymology: From Sanskrit jalp (talk) → Pali/Prakrit japp (muttering, especially of prayers and incantations) → Hindi/Gujarati/Punjabi jaap (muttering).
